Asphalt dispenser vehicle

Abstract

A specialized vehicle for movement along a path parallel to a plurality of containers for dispensing molten asphalt from the vehicle into the containers. The vehicle is configured to physically locate the operator and the controls at the rear corner of the vehicle so that the operator can readily oversee and control movement of the vehicle and the asphalt dispensing operations.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A specialized vehicle for movement in a path alongside a plurality of containers for dispensing liquified molten asphalt from the vehicle into the containers, said vehicle comprising: (a) a frame having a front and a back;   (b) drive wheels mounted at the back of said frame;   (c) first motor means coupled to said drive wheels for driving thereof;   (d) first control means coupled to said first motor means for variable speed operation thereof in selectively opposite directions;   (e) a materials tank mounted on said frame for receiving liquified molten asphalt;   (f) an asphalt delivery pump connected to said materials tank at the back of said frame for dispensing liquified molten asphalt from said tank;   (g) second motor means coupled to said asphalt delivery pump for operation thereof;   (h) second control means coupled to said second motor means for variable speed operation thereof in selectively opposite directions;   (i) an engine means mounted on said frame;   (j) power supply means driven by said engine for producing power which is coupled through said first and said second control means to operate said first and said second motor means;   (k) an operator's seat located at the back corner of said frame; and   (l) said first and said second control means mounted on said frame adjacent said operator's seat.   
     
     
       2. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: (a) said power supply means includes a hydraulic pump;   (b) said first motor means is a hydraulic motor coupled to receive hydraulic fluid under pressure from said hydraulic pump; and   (c) said first control means is interposed between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic motor and includes, I. a manually operable 4-way valve having a neutral position wherein the hydraulic fluid is directed so as to completely bypass said hydraulic motor, a first operating position wherein the hydraulic fluid is directed so as to drive said hydraulic motor in one direction and a second operating position wherein the hydraulic fluid is directed so as to drive said hydraulic motor in an opposite direction, and   II. a manually adjustable bypass valve for directing a controllable amount of the hydraulic fluid through said 4-way valve to control the driven speed of said hydraulic motor.     
     
     
       3. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 2 and further comprising a relief valve interposed between said 4-way valve and said hydraulic motor which operates to allow hydraulic fluid circulation from said hydraulic motor through said relief valve and back to said hydraulic motor upon an increase in hydraulic fluid pressure above an adjustably predetermined value. 
     
     
       4. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: (a) said supply means including a hydraulic pump;   (b) said second motor means is a hydraulic motor coupled to receive hydraulic fluid under pressure from said hydraulic pump; and   (c) said second control means is interposed between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic motor and includes, I. a manually operable 4-way valve having a neutral position wherein the hydraulic fluid is directed so as to completely bypass the hydraulic motor, a first operating position wherein the hydraulic fluid is directed so as to drive said hydraulic motor in one direction and a second operating position wherein the hydraulic fluid is directed so as to drive said hydraulic motor in an opposite direction, and   II. a manually adjustable bypass valve for directing a controllable amount of the hydraulic fluid through said 4-way valve to control the driven speed of said hydraulic motor.     
     
     
       5. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: (a) agitation means mounted in said materials tank for agitation of the liquified molten asphalt received therein;   (b) motor means connected to said agitation means for driving thereof; and   (c) said power supply means connected to said motor means for variable speed operation thereof.   
     
     
       6. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 5 and further comprising: (a) said agitation means is an auger extending longitudinally along the bottom of said materials tank and journaled for rotation therein;   (b) said motor means is a hydraulic motor; and   (c) said power supply means includes, I. a hydraulic pump for delivering hydraulic fluid under pressure to said hydraulic motor,   II. a select gear transmission interposed between said hydraulic pump and said engine for variable speed driving of said hydraulic pump, and   III. a manually adjustable bypass valve for directing a controllable amount of the hydraulic fluid under pressure to said hydraulic motor for variable speed driving thereof.     
     
     
       7. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: (a) steerable wheels mounted on the front of said frame;   (b) actuator means mounted on the front of said frame and coupled to said steerable wheels for steerable operation thereof; and (c) control means located at the back of said frame adjacent said operator's seat and coupled to said actuator means for actuation thereof.     
     
     
       8. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: (a) steerable wheels mounted on the front of said frame;   (b) a linear actuator mounted on the front of said frame and coupled to said steerable wheels, said linear actuator movable between extended and retracted positions thereof for turning said steerable wheels in opposite directions;   (c) a source of power mounted on said frame and coupled to said linear actuator; and   (d) a control means located adjacent said operator's seat at the rear of said frame and interposed between said source of power and said linear actuator for selectively operating said linear actuator between its extended and retracted positions.   
     
     
       9. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising means connected to said materials tank for the optional addition of heat to the liquified molten asphalt receivable therein. 
     
     
       10. A specialized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising an elongated flexible hose coupled to the output port of said asphalt delivery pump for dispensing the liquified molten asphalt from said materials tank into the containers.